Customer Accessibility Policy

Responsibilities of Accessibility Coordinator/Management

The Firm's Accessibility Coordinator will undertake an initial review to identify existing barriers, and work to develop a plan for removing or working around those barriers through alternatives.  This will include a review of the built environment, documentation, communications, website or other means of interacting with Customers to ensure that barriers are not inadvertently created, and recommend any changes to Management Committee.  Firm Members are responsible to advise the Accessibility Coordinator promptly and in writing of any barriers or potential barriers of which they become aware.  This would include:

• Ensuring hallways and passage ways are clear of debris so as to be wheelchair accessible.
• Using door levers instead of knobs, where automated door openers are not available.
• Ensuring that where there are stairs, an alternate access is available (ramp, elevator, etc.), and a sign is posted near the stairs indicating where and how to access the alternate.
• Ensuring that doorways, walks, ramps, parking areas etc., are kept clear of snow or other blockages.
• Ensuring seating is available wherever reasonably required, so Customers can sit or stand as they choose.
• Ensuring that public areas are configured to allow access by wheelchair, scooter, walker, cane or other assistive devices, as well as being able to accommodate a support person and/or service animal.
• Ensuring washroom facilities are accessible.

On an ongoing basis, the Firm's Accessibility Coordinator will undertake review to identify any new barriers, and work to develop a plan for removing or working around those barriers through alternatives.

The Accessibility Coordinator will maintain written records of all measures, policies and practices established or implemented with respect to accessibility as well as of training (including content, when, by whom and to whom).  Written records of measures, policies and practices established or implemented with respect to accessibility will be made available to Customers or Firm Members upon request.  The Accessibility Coordinator will ensure the fact that this documentation is available upon request is physically posted where the public is likely to see it, as well as on the Taylor McCaffrey LLP website.

The Accessibility Coordinator together with Human Resources will ensure that any Firm Member who is reasonably expected to interact with Customers is trained in:

• How to interact with persons who may be disabled by barriers, including those who use assistive devices or who require the assistance of a support person or service animal;
• How to use any equipment or assistive devices available in the workplace;
• What to do if someone is having trouble accessing services provided by the Firm;
• The requirements of The Accessibility for Manitobans Act, the Customer Service Standard Regulation and The Human Rights Code.

Training shall be provided as part of orientation or as soon as a newcomer to Taylor McCaffrey LLP is put into a position which requires interaction with Customers.  Existing Firm Members already in positions where they interact with Customers, who have not received such training, will be trained as soon as possible.  Ongoing training will be provide as Firm practices or policies evolve over time.

Procedures

Taylor McCaffrey LLP's publications will include the statement “This publication is available in alternate formats on request." and specify how a Customer can request an alternate format.

Signs, documents and other similar goods will be available in formats using larger fonts and colour contrast, using plan language to the extent reasonable, and will not have messages printed on images.

Taylor McCaffrey LLP will not impose a fee or charge to provide an accommodation unless the accommodation could not be reasonably provided without it.  In that case, the Customer will be told of the fee or charge in advance in a manner which clearly explains why the fee or charge is necessary.

Where any aspect of our operations that is intended to facilitate access is temporarily unavailable for use, a notice will be displayed indicating the reason for the unavailability, the estimated timeframe by when access will be restored, and details of any alternate means of access.  Where possible, this information will also be posted to our website.  Firm Members are responsible for advising the Accessibility Coordinator promptly and in writing of any barriers or potential barriers of which they become aware.

Support persons and service animals are welcome in our offices.

Any public events which we organize or take part in will be reasonably accessible to those who may be disabled by barriers.  This means (for example) that notice of the event will be available in alternate formats and will indicate that relevant supports may be requested (sign language interpreter, ramp, etc.).